What gas leak detection means
Gas leak detection is the job of finding where gas is escaping from the pipes or appliances inside your property. It is not the same as the gas network's work. The network looks after the pipes in the street and the meter. Everything after the meter belongs to you, and so does the repair.
A licensed gasfitter does this work. In NSW, gasfitting is regulated. Only a licensed person can repair gas pipes, and the job should finish with a test and the right paperwork.
Signs of a gas leak
- A smell like rotten eggs, even a faint one, inside or under the house.
- A hissing sound near a pipe, meter, bottle or appliance.
- A gas bill that jumps when your habits have not changed.
- A pilot light that keeps going out, or a flame that burns yellow or orange instead of blue.
- Dead patches of grass or plants over a buried gas line.
- Headaches, dizziness or nausea. If anyone feels unwell, leave and call 000.
If the smell is strong, you hear hissing or someone feels unwell, stop reading. Leave the building and call 000 from outside, then follow the red box at the top of this page.
How the job usually runs
1. Pressure test
The gasfitter isolates the gas supply to the house and checks whether the pipework holds pressure. A system that loses pressure has a leak somewhere.
2. Find the source
Next the gasfitter works along the pipes, joints, fittings and appliance connections to find where the gas is getting out. Ask which method will be used.
3. Repair and retest
Small leaks at a fitting may need a joint remade or a part replaced. Corroded or damaged pipe may need a section replaced. After the repair the pipework is tested again to prove it is sound.
4. Paperwork
Depending on the work, a gasfitter in NSW completes a compliance certificate. Ask for a copy and keep it with your house records. Insurers, buyers and property managers may ask for it.
Why Mountains homes get leaks
Many homes here are decades old. Pipes often run under floors, and some are galvanised steel or early copper. Joints loosen and corrode with age. Homes on LPG have bottles, hoses and regulators outdoors, exposed to frost, rain and sun.
Renovations also cause leaks. A cooktop moved, a heater swapped or a deck built over a line can leave a joint stressed or poorly made.
Mains gas or LPG
The process is much the same for both. The difference is where the network's responsibility ends. On mains gas, call Jemena on 131 909 for a smell at the street or meter. On LPG, your supplier looks after the bottle exchange and may want a call too. For a leak in your own pipes or appliances, a licensed gasfitter is the right call. Read more on LPG bottle leaks.
What it costs
The price depends on how easy the pipes are to reach, how many fittings are involved and what needs replacing. Ask for a quote before work starts so you know what you are agreeing to.
Before you call
- Note where you smell gas or hear a hiss.
- Note which appliances are gas and where the meter or bottles sit.
- Have your gas bill handy if you are on mains gas.
- Keep sparks and flames away. No lighters, no switches near the smell.
Related pages: smell gas, what to do, gas heater service and rental gas safety checks.
Common questions
Who fixes a gas leak inside my house?
A licensed gasfitter does. The gas network handles the street and the meter. Pipes and appliances after the meter are your responsibility.
Can I find a gas leak myself?
You can notice signs, such as a smell or a hiss. Finding and repairing the leak should be left to a licensed gasfitter. Do not use a naked flame to check.
Will I get a compliance certificate?
A licensed gasfitter in NSW completes the required paperwork for regulated gas work. Ask for your copy at the end of the job.
How much does gas leak repair cost?
It depends on access, the number of fittings and the parts needed. Ask for a quote before work starts.
Is LPG covered as well as mains gas?
Yes, the leak work is much the same. See the page on LPG bottle leaks.
Which towns are covered?
Glenbrook to Mount Victoria. See the town list.
Gas leak or gas appliance problem? Call a licensed gasfitter.